1. a naval vessel designed to place explosive mines in water
Usage: nautical; military

Examples

• The minelayer deployed dozens of mines along the enemy coastline.
• Naval forces used a minelayer to create a defensive barrier in the harbor.
• The old minelayer was converted into a training vessel after the war.
• Enemy submarines targeted the minelayer before it could complete its mission.
• The minelayer’s crew worked through the night to position the mines strategically.
• Modern minelayers can deploy mines much faster than their World War II predecessors.